As immigrants we have to face challenges every day, in our work life, when looking for a job, when trying to learn a new language, facing the cultural differences, adapt to a new lifestyle…
It appears that what we miss a lot from our different homelands is also our food. Ireland has a great culinary heritage but food is an important part of a person’s traditions and culture, and it can be hard to find what you are looking for in regular supermarkets as they tend to stick to regular Irish food, hence the development of African, Indian or Eastern food stores, especially in the Shandon area.

A great place to look for any type of great high quality imported food for a reasonable price is still the English Market. Situated on Grand Parade this covered market is fantastic for just a stroll and a sandwich in the afternoon or for your weekly grocery shopping.

The Root Market was opened in 1788 and ran until 1862 when it was redesigned by Sir John Benson and destroyed by a fire in June 1980 and rebuilt using some of the original features of the original market such as the central fountain, the iron cast columns and railings.

Open your eyes, nose and be all ears once you enter this place bustling with activity and never emptying. Why don’t you first check out the great fish and meat stores by the Grand Parade entrance, Superfuit where you will find fresh fruits, vegetables or exotic herbs for a fantastic price.
For some Mediterranean pleasures go and check out Comlact na Bfiorolog where the olives are dripping with olive oil, the amazing feta cheese just waiting to be tasted or the pickled anchovies flying off the shelves, along with some goodies all straight from the land of healthy food.

Just off the corner from this heaven for the palate why don’t you grab a quick bite at this great sandwich place, by the fish stores, sandwiches there are a lot more than your regular lunch sandwich, there are little food treasures, each one of them a work of art ; baguettes filled with fresh brie and olive oil dressing, smoked chicken with relish, honey baked ham or even some vegetarian delights with their famous humus or different salads, all of this served with a smile, the only problem being that too much choice might mean you will be slowing the queue of fanatics!

Just behind you, O’Connell fish store is an invitation to discover the different treasures of the sea with their terrific choice in fish and seafood, if you are a novice and not to sure about fish, you can always ask advice on how to prepare the fish, and the staff will be glad to help you create the perfect dish for the perfect fish.

Along this alley you will find a heaven for Italian food lovers at Iago’s. Their fresh pasta are to die for, especially, the Spinach and Ricotta Ravioli, which however can seem a bit expensive, but they are worth the indulgence on a special occasion. They also offer quite an impressive variety of French and Italian cheeses which are usually hard to find in a regular store around here, as it seems Ireland still has to get accustomed to strong tasting cheese.

Hang on to your still unfinished sandwich, and keep walking around the corner, and there you will come across the Organic Stores, which is the perfect place for growing number of healthy and fair trade food fans, this store however, as most organic stores, still features high prices. Just across you will find Mr Bell’s oriental food, where you will be able to find all types of food, Oriental or European recipes recipes, amazing olive oils, and even, dear to the hearts of those French people amongst us, those most sought after empty snail shells and sometimes cans of snails.

And just in front of it, probably the most popular stand of the English Market; On The Pig’s Back.
This is just a perfect place for cheese from here and abroad (Camembert, Roquefort, Goat cheeses, Etorki, Crottins de Chavignol, Munster..), charcuterie (Rosette, Saucisson, Rillettes, Merguez, Chipolatas, Terrines, Boudins, Pâtés…) or any French canned foods, such as foie gras, French salt, flour for galettes…

If you keep on going to your left there is the Chocolate Shop where any chocolate aficionado will find happiness in the form of all the sweet delicacies on display. After all this shopping there is no better way to finish it off by a pint at the Mutton Lane, just off the English Market, where you will be able to admire the fantastic mural drawn by Anthony Ruby, dedicated to everybody, and picturing some of the characters of Cork.

After a tour of this great market, your bag full of goodies you will be able to face the winter months to come and maybe fill this homely feeling you have when eating your favourite food.